WaveJet Global Brand Ambassador, Garrett McNamara makes history again by breaking the current record of the biggest wave ever surfed while on location in Nazare, Portugal. International surf industry and wave experts have collaborated in measuring the wave, estimated to have a height of approximately 90 feet.

(click thumbnail to launch video)

Garrett was towing in with Andrew Cotton from the UK, and Al Mennie from Ireland when the bomb came in. Al was in the channel and describes the moment, “Everything seemed to be perfect, the weather, and the waves. Both Cotty and I rode two big ones in the 60ft + range and then when Garrett got on the rope a wave, maybe 30feet bigger came out of the canyon. I had the best seat in the house as I was doing water safety on the ski as he dropped down the face of the biggest wave I’ve ever seen. Most people would look scared but Garrett looked in control as he went down the most critical part of the wave. It was an inspirational ride by an inspirational surfer. What a day!”

The three were surfing in Praia do Norte off the coast of Nazare, Portugal. McNamara has been spending quite some time here once he discovered the magic of the spot. The coast of Nazare is home to one of the only deep water canyons that run all the way to shore. He has been working with Hydrographic Institute to understand how the waves reach such an abnormal height. According to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute, “the proximity of the ‘Nazaré Canyon’ to Praia do Norte creates a situation that greatly increases the swells intensity. The conditions of the swell and wind direction observed on this day exemplify this phenomenon. By 9:00 AM, the monitor on the buoys registered a swell with around 8 m near Nazaré. With a WNW swell direction with favorable wind, it is reasonable to conclude that this wave had a significant swelling effect, which is characteristic of this place.”

In addition to breaking the world record, also while in Nazare, McNamara, who also works with partners RAW Elements Sunscreen, Imagine Surfboards, DonJoy, Moana, Noll Worldwide and Red Nose, achieved the feat of paddling into a 50 foot wave utilizing only the power of his WaveJet gun rather than a full tow-in system.

“I feel so blessed to have been invited to explore this canyon and its special town. The waves here are such a mystery. Everything seemed to just come together. I had no idea how big it was but at the end when a little bit of the white wash landed on me it felt like a ton of bricks. I don’t know how I made it through. I just stayed present and followed my heart.”

About WaveJet. WaveJet is the first patented Personal Water Propulsion (PWP) system designed for use in a range of personal watercraft, including surfboards, SUPs, kayaks, rescue boards, body boards, scuba gear, and light boats. Powered by an integrated twin-lithium ion battery pack with twin drives, WaveJet is capable of 20 pounds of thrust, has a continuous run-time of over 30 minutes, activated through a wireless wrist controller and recharges in a standard wall socket. At 3 to 5 times faster than paddling a surfboard, WaveJet is safe, quiet and light, and can equally to conquer big waves and enable surfers and paddle boarders to have more fun in the flattest of water.